NHL Odds, Picks & Predictions: Saturday (11/30)
Hockey season is in full swing and things are already exciting at the start of the NHL season. There are a few intriguing matchups early on, so let's look at the games to target.
Saturday's NHL Best Bets
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Toronto Maple Leafs (-122) at Tampa Bay Lightning (+102) | O/U 6.5 (-102/-122)
The Maple Leafs are on a fantastic run, having won three straight. Their offense has been great, as they are third in expected goals percentage (52.1%) and shoot over 30 shots on goal per game - all of that without Auston Matthews in the lineup.
They also have a fantastic goaltender group, who are third in goals allowed per game (2.59).
The Lightning are on a skid, losing three of their last four games. Their offense scored 21 goals in their previous five games, but most of that came against an eight-goal effort; they have allowed 18 goals in that span.
The last two losses have been with Andrei Vasilevskiy in the net. The last time he faced the Maple Leafs, he gave up four goals in a loss.
It is not necessarily Vasilevskiy’s fault; the Bolts have a problem with the blue line, and they give up a lot of high-danger shots, which is something you can't do with this Maple Leafs group.
Pick: Maple Leafs Moneyline (-122)
Washington Capitals (+145) at New Jersey Devil (-175) | O/U 6 (-118/-102)
The Capitals are one of the more surprising teams, going from barely making the playoffs last year to having the second-most points in the Eastern Conference. They've been winning without Alex Ovechkin and have won three straight without him, including against the defending champs.
Washington is leading the league in goals scored and fourth in expected goals percentage, but the defense has also been great. They are eighth in goals allowed and alternating between Logan Thompson and Charles Lindgren every game. It'll be Lindgren between the pipes in this game.
The Devils are one of the best teams in the league because they can beat you on either side of the ice. Offensively, they get great shot opportunities and are second with a 57.6% expected goal percentage. These two teams just faced each other last week. Washington took the initial lead, but New Jersey eventually got some shots one net and scored two straight goals. The Caps couldn't come back.
We have two incredible offenses here. We’ve seen the over hitting twice. We’ll ride with that trend.
Pick: Over 6 Goals (-118)